A major city and port in southeastern New York, situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Hudson River; pop. 7,322,564. It is situated mainly on islands, linked by bridges, and consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the economic and cultural heart of the city, containing the stock exchange on Wall Street and the headquarters of the United Nations

A state in the northeastern US, on the Canadian border and Lake Ontario in the northwest, as well as on the Atlantic coast in the southeast; pop. 18,976,457; capital, Albany; statehood, July 26, 1788 (11). Originally settled by the Dutch, it was surrendered to the British in 1664. New York was one of the original thirteen states

the largest city in New York State and in the United States; located in southeastern New York at the mouth of the Hudson river; a major financial and cultural center

agency

A department or body providing a specific service for a government or similar organization

a characteristic state or mode of living; “social life”; “city life”; “real life”

the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living; “he hoped for a new life in Australia”; “he wanted to live his own life without interference from others”

Living things and their activity

The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities; “he could no longer cope with the complexities of life”

new york life agency portal – Agency

Agency

After a traditional Mormon upbringing, including a houseful of siblings and expectations that she will marry young, college freshman Michelle Campbell successfully ventures into professional modeling with the biggest talent agency in town. Complicating it all is a handsome and charismatic returned missionary who falls hard for her and wants to pull her back. The gravity of two worlds with very different values systems threatens to wrench her apart. In order to get work in the modeling business, Michelle must pound the pavement. She’s got to party in a glitzy urban environment and “be seen” by the right people. As she plunges into this seductive new life, she is quite aware that she is getting an education of a different kind. In the face of all the temptations and distractions, she struggles to keep her balance. When she must eventually make the most important choice of her life, how will she exercise her agency?

Beast

Nicholas Hoult as Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy / Beast: A scientist who is transformed into a frightening-looking mutant in an attempt to cure himself, but is kind at heart.

Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Hank McCoy / Beast: A former student of Xavier’s School who is now the Secretary of Mutant Affairs in the U.S. government. A brilliant scientist, Beast’s mutation leads him to be covered in blue fur and have heightened strength and agility.

The Beast (Henry "Hank" McCoy) is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a founding member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in X-Men #1 (September 1963).

When first introduced, the Beast—a mutant—possesses ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility and oversized hands and feet, though he otherwise appears to be a normal human being. Throughout his history, the Beast undergoes progressive transformations to his physiognomy, permanently gaining increasingly animalistic physical characteristics. These include blue fur, feline facial features, pointed ears, fangs, and claws. His physical power increases to even greater levels, as do his senses.

Despite his inhuman appearance, he is a brilliant man of the arts and sciences; he is a world authority on biochemistry and genetics, the X-Men’s medical doctor, and the science and mathematics instructor at the Xavier Institute (the X-Men’s headquarters and school for young mutants). He is also a mutant political activist. Fighting his bestial instincts and fears of social rejection, the Beast dedicates his physical and mental gifts to the creation of a better world for man and mutant. He also has a witty sense of humor.

One of the original X-Men, the Beast has appeared consistently in X-Men-related comics throughout the years. He has also been a member of the "all-star" teams the Avengers and Defenders. In X-Men: The Last Stand, he was played by Kelsey Grammer, and in X2, Steve Bacic portrayed him in a very brief cameo in a newscast scene as a human. Nicholas Hoult portrays Beast in the 2011 film, X-Men: First Class.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the Beast. Stan Lee writes in the foreword to X-Men: The Ultimate Guide that he made Beast the most articulate, eloquent, and well-read of the X-Men to contrast with his brutish exterior. Further, the book opines that the Werner Roth-Roy Thomas team garnered admiration for their "appealing and sensitive characterizations of the original X-Men." Roth (under the alias Jay Gavin) had taken over for Kirby fully by issue #18 and Thomas was a new talent. Beast was given an individualized, colorful new costume with the rest of the X-Men by issue #39 in order to attract new readers. After Jim Steranko’s tenure, which added "exciting art," Roth returned, working with Neal Adams who blended Kirby’s style with "realism, idealized beauty, and epic grandeur," making The X-Men (later named Uncanny X-Men) series one of the most popular superhero comics by the late 1960s.

In Amazing Adventures #11, written by Gerry Conway in March 1972, the Beast underwent a radical change in appearance, mutating into the now familiar furry creature. The concept originated with Roy Thomas, an effort to make the character more visibly striking, and Beast also became more werewolf-like to capitalize on the success of Werewolf by Night.[2] Steranko reasons, "he had to expand beyond simply using big words."[2] Over the next decade he would appear on the roster of several teams in titles ranging from Avengers to Defenders to X-Factor. It wasn’t until 1991, in X-Factor #70/X-Men #1, that the Beast finally returned to the X-Men. In Uncanny X-Men #390, 2001, the Beast cured the Legacy Virus and in X-Treme X-Men #3, 2001, the Beast experienced a further mutation into a feline being, first shown in the introduction to New X-Men (June, 2001), by Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison. As evidenced on the back cover of X-Treme X-Men Vol. 1, Chris Claremont, writer of that series in addition to both Uncanny X-Men (for sixteen consecutive years) and X-Factor, contributed much to the Beast’s characterization. Citing Claremont as inspiration for his run on New X-Men, Morrison explains Beast as a "brilliant, witty bipolar scientist." Morrison continues, "I saw Henry McCoy as an incredibly clever, witty, cultured, well-traveled, experienced, well-read character so I brought out those parts of his personality which seemed to me to fit the profiles of the smartest and most worldly people I know – his sense of humor is dark and oblique. He’s obviously quite clearly bipolar and swings between manic excitement and ghastly self-doubt. He has no dark secrets, however, and nothing to hide."[3] Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men: Gifted story arc featured a "mutant cure" designed by Indian Bene

Thomas Nides Remarks at the Expeditionary Diplomacy Awards – IMG 8320

It is an honor to welcome so many veterans of the “provinces,” the “districts,” and the “platforms.” You conquered difficult and dangerous challenges on the frontlines, and many of you went back for more. America is safer for your courage and your service. Thank you.

I also want to thank and welcome your family members who are here today. While you had the adventures, the families had the worry. Your sacrifice made our missions possible. We cannot possibly thank you enough.

Before we give out the hardware, I wanted to make a few quick points.

First, the work you’ve done in the Frontline States has forever changed the way we tackle new foreign policy challenges. I know this for a fact; I was just in Kabul over the weekend, consulting with our team about transition, security, and economics. Every success we have had in these countries has been built on your accomplishments and sacrifices. The men and women we honor today have been the trailblazers – testing out of new policies and practices that will help us in complex missions for decades to come.

Of course, the Secretary’s vision of civilian power depends on our partners across the entire U.S. government. So, we recognize the service of your colleagues at USAID, Commerce, Agriculture, Justice and other federal agencies who served alongside you in Afghanistan and Iraq. Your successes and your frustrations both give us real-life lessons that will improve future missions.

Second, you set a new standard for engaging communities and advancing people-to-people diplomacy. You served your country in isolated places, often in dangerous circumstances, with few physical comforts. You reached people in places who have rarely seen Americans. You were true partners with Iraqi and Afghan citizens. You helped them reconstruct and reconnect with the great traditions and achievements of their societies.

And to the critics out there: I suggest they spend a year walking in your shoes; living in a container the size of a shoe-box; working 120 hours a week, and needing to wear Kevlar whenever you step outside.

Your actions told a more powerful story than our words ever could about America’s good intentions and our desire to help people lead better lives.

And that leads me to my third point: in this experiment, you accomplished so much – for America and for our partners around the world.

As I read cables and get briefings on the work you do, I’m simply staggered by your innovation and effectiveness. Your reporting from the field on political dynamics; reconciliation efforts, and economic trends was invaluable. You were our eyes and ears. And you made a real difference in the lives of Iraqi and Afghans and Americans.

Personally, I seek out folks who have had these experiences, because I know it makes you stronger. And I know you can handle whatever we throw at you. My last Chief of Staff, Piper Campbell, just finished a year in Basra – and I visited her there to see just what it’s like. My Afghanistan staffer, Raphael Carland, served on a PRT in Afghanistan. Jim Holtsnider, my Middle East expert, is receiving this award with you today having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Department understands your value, seeks you out, and rewards your contributions. Frankly, your courage helped redefine what it means to work for the Department of State. It helped you through daily visits to local communities, walking village streets, taking long convoy rides home, living under constant threat of deadly attack. And it impressed all of us.

You did not just heed the call for expeditionary diplomacy. You led the charge. And, we couldn’t be prouder.

Now, on behalf of Secretary Clinton, I present to you the Expeditionary Service Award:

In grateful recognition
Of your committed service
In extraordinary and arduous conditions
During your field assignment in Iraq or Afghanistan
In spite of constant danger and difficulty
Your contributions to reconstruction, stability and peace
Reflect great credit on yourself and on
The Department of State

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, D.C.

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Remarks
Thomas Nides
Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources
As Prepared for Delivery

Washington, DC

June 28, 2012

new york life agency portal

If there’s one thing about turrets, it’s that they’re uncannily good at seeing things that are in front of them. And then riddling those things with holes. This tiny turret does not include working dual machine guns, but if you give it a squeeze, it’ll light up the dark places in your world with a bright LED and explode with sound effects straight from the Portal and Portal 2 games. Just remember to treat it with care, because it’s special.

Product Specifications

Bring a bit of Aperture Science home with this turret flashlight Bright red LED light will help you find all life’s lemons Real turret sound effects from the Portal & Portal 2 games Gift box looks just like the one in the Aperture Investment Opportunity #3 video Officially licensed Portal / Portal 2 product The Turret Talking Flashlight uses 1 CR2032 coin battery. (included) Dimensions: Approx. 3.5″ tall When the side button is pressed your little light up buddy will randomly say one of the following quotes. “Are you still there” “Preparing to dispense product” “I don’t hate you” “Target acquired” “Goodbye”